Restaurateur sounds alarm after seeing 12-year-old girl frequent Downtown Eastside

The owner of a popular Gastown-area restaurant says he was alarmed to see a 12-year-old girl spending time alone on Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside earlier this summer.

Source: Pidgin Vancouver

The owner of a popular Gastown-area restaurant says he was alarmed to see a 12-year-old girl spending time alone on Vancouver’s notorious Downtown Eastside earlier this summer.

Brandon Grossutti, who owns PiDGiN Restaurant on Carrall Street, said he noticed the girl in early July and became increasingly concerned after several sightings.

“She had talked about being in the neighbourhood, and it was obvious she was under the influence of things,” Grossutti told CTV News. “And then there were other people in the neighbourhood that anecdotally talked about some of the interactions that had happened.”

Grossutti said he heard rumours the girl had been sexually assaulted twice while on the streets, prompting him to first call the Ministry of Children and Family Development before turning to the police.

Vancouver police confirmed officers responded, but said they did not have legal authority to apprehend the child under the Child, Family and Community Service Act.

Sgt. Steve Addison said the law sets out specific conditions for police to take a child into care, such as when a child’s immediate safety is at risk, if a social worker requests apprehension, or if there is a court order.

“On this specific occasion, she did not meet the legislative requirements for apprehension,” Addison said in a statement, adding the girl’s guardians were aware of her whereabouts and were reportedly “not concerned for her safety.”

He said officers contacted the girl’s group home, where staff confirmed they were in regular contact with her.

In a separate statement, the Ministry of Children and Family Development said staff and caregivers are required to act quickly when a child in care is absent, including by assessing risk and maintaining contact to reduce potential harm.

Grossutti said the incident highlights gaps in how vulnerable children are protected.

“When we have someone as vulnerable as a 12-year-old in the neighbourhood and we’re throwing our hands up, this is broken,” he said. “We need to really look at how we’re approaching the situation holistically.”

Police said officers encouraged the girl to go home and stay away from the Downtown Eastside.

Grossutti said he has not seen her in the area since.